- The “jaw dropping” case: A person has a devastating physical injury. The responsible party’s actions are so outrageous that a jury would find gross negligence and award punitive damages. Examples of this include (i) causing an accident while driving drunk or on drugs; (ii) violently attacking someone without provocation; and (iii) sleep-deprived large truck operator (18 wheeler) speeding, losing control and causing catastrophic damage.
- The defendant engaging in outrageous and indefensible conduct
- High cost of future medical care: the victim is paralyzed, a paraplegic or quadriplegic
- Complete loss of future earning ability: 24 year-old carpenter who cannot work for the rest of his life due to an injury; 36 year-old salesman loses his ability to drive and speak due to a preventable accident.
- Records have been destroyed, falsified, or otherwise “fixed” in order to escape liability
- A defendant who is proven to be a liar about relevant aspects of the case
- Credible independent witnesses support the injured person’s account of how the incident occurred
- The injured person is hard-working, honest, sympathetic and sincere
- The injured person has not been involved in a number of prior lawsuits as a plaintiff
- The injured person does not have a pre-existing injury of the type complained of in the case (Pre-existing injury is one of the main reasons for defense verdicts)
- An arrogant defendant who believes and acts as if he is better than the rest of us
These are only some indicators of significant personal injury cases. If these factors are not present in your case, this does not mean that it lacks merit or should not be pursued. Your case may still have a basis for a significant outcome. A thorough evaluation of your case by an experienced, qualified personal injury lawyer will determine the strength of your case.